Ensuring the safety of your horse is the highest priority for any horse owner. At American Stalls, we understand that a safe, functional horse stall plays a critical role in minimizing risks. Whether you're designing a new barn or renovating an existing one, it's essential to consider modern safety features. These additions make a difference in protecting your horse from potential injuries. From sturdy construction to careful attention to latches, flooring, and even the stall size, here are the top safety features you should include in your horse stalls.
1. Sturdy Horse Stall Construction
A well-built horse stall begins with strong raw materials that can withstand the wear and tear of daily life in a barn. The stall's structure should be able to handle the impact of a horse kicking or chewing on its walls. That's why all our horse stall fronts, stall partitions, and other components are made from 100% American steel. At a minimum, we use 14-gauge pre-galvanized steel on all structural components.
14-gauge steel is a baseline to provide strength, while the galvanized base layer protects your investment from rust and wear. We use thicker gauges of steel in certain components, including our round posts for European Stall Fronts and our mesh.
Quick Tip: What is "gauge?" It is the thickness of the sheet metal. 14-gauge means that the sheet metal of the round tubing is about 5/64 inch thick.
We use even more durable materials for the hardware. This includes 304 stainless steel, which is used for all of our latches. This includes our Pin Lock Latch, Flip Latch, Universal Gate Latch, Plunger Latches, hinges, and other components. We then use artisanal quality brass for decorative finishes such as brass finials, aluminum end caps, and even our Roosevelt Collection tack hardware. Brass, stainless steel, and galvanized steel further ensure that high-touch points are protected from the wear and tear of a working horse barn. Durable horse stall construction provides peace of mind, knowing your horse is protected from breakdowns or structural failures.
If you have existing Stall Fronts, it’s essential to regularly check your stalls for any damage that might have formed due to daily use. If your current stalls show signs of wear, it may be time for an upgrade to more durable options that will enhance the safety of your horse’s space.
2. Proper Stall Size and Grillwork
The size of your stalls directly affects your horse’s safety, health, and overall mental well-being. A smaller horse stall can make a horse feel mentally and emotionally confined. Additionally, a small horse stall can increase your horse's risk of being cast. In contrast, a larger stall allows your horse to move freely, reducing the likelihood of injury. Larger horse stalls allow you to safely turn your horses in and out of their stalls.
We recommend always starting with a minimum 12’x12’ size for most average-sized horses (14–16 hands). Many clients with larger breeds, such as European Warmbloods, Draft Horses, and others, opt for larger stalls ranging from 12’x14’ to 14’x14’, 16’x16’, and other variations.
We often get the question from riders with smaller breeds, “Would a 10’x10’ stall be okay for my miniature?” While yes, a 10’x10’ stall would be sufficient for a miniature horse. That being said, we always recommend larger stalls, such as a minimum of 12’x12’ size, for smaller breeds such as miniature horses, other smaller animals, and even ponies. A 12’x12’ baseline horse stall allows you to get more function and versatility from that horse stall.
Expert Tip: Consider opting for larger stall sizes to provide more room for your horses and increase safety. Also, carefully choose stall grills to avoid potential injuries. Bars spaced too wide or too thin can cause hooves to become caught. At American Stalls, we ensure that our bars (also known as “grills” are designed to prevent such accidents, with careful bar spacing and high-quality steel materials. At a minimum, we use our 1” round bars spaced on 3” centers, leaving only 2” spacing from end to end of each bar. Read more about Horse Stall Sizes and Recommendations.
3. No Sharp Edges
Sharp edges can lead to serious injuries. That’s why all hardware and structural components should be smooth and free from any protruding elements that could cause cuts or bruises. That is why we take our hardware, door, window, and other key designs extremely seriously. Our design, engineering, and finishing all undergo strict quality control standards.
A quick look at our latches, tack hardware, and other key hardware will show our commitment to rounded edges, ergonomic design, and smooth finishes. For example, our Sliding Stall Fronts utilize our Flip Latch or Pin Lock Latch. Both latches are machined from solid 304 stainless steel and have rounded edges and proper beveling. They are easy on the eye, exceptionally safe, and low-profile to ensure no protruding elements. One can view the same commitment in our iconic Plunger Latch for our European Stall Fronts. These latches are smooth, flush, and easy to operate, ensuring that your horse will be safe from accidental contact with sharp or poorly positioned hardware.
4. Flooring for Traction and Comfort
Flooring plays a crucial role in preventing slips and falls, especially when horses are getting up or lying down. Non-slip surfaces, such as interlocking rubber mats or textured concrete, help ensure your horse has stable footing. These types of flooring also provide cushioning to prevent injuries from falls, especially in the event of a horse getting up too quickly or losing balance. Our Rubber Pavers are another great option for your aisle. They offer excellent slip resistance, making them ideal for barn aisles, stalls, and wash bays. We especially love our Rubber Pavers as they provide ample comfort for tired feet while also serving as a means to help with barn acoustics. No more loud noises of hooves as the rubber pavers help dampen the noise.
We encourage you to consider the StableComfort Horse Stall Mattress for added safety and comfort**.** It is truly the best of the best for stall flooring. Our horse stall mattress is a system with multi-celled rubber crumb mattresses that provide shock absorbency and traction, reducing bedding costs while ensuring your horse's safety.
Read the common questions about our Stall Mattress.
5. Safe Latches and Doors
The design and functionality of our horse stall doors are crucial to horse safety in any barn environment. Our Sliding Stall Door Stalls are extremely popular among equestrian architects and builders. Our Sliding Stall Door is often the safest option as it eliminates the risk of a protruding, swinging door in the aisle. We take our Stall Door design one step further by designing and manufacturing our latches in-house.
Our design philosophy for latches is that they should be secure yet easy for handlers to operate, sturdy yet nimble. We recommend flush, smooth latches that won’t protrude and risk injuring your horse's shoulders, stifles, or hips. You will find these features in our Flip Latch and Pin Lock Latch.
6. Adequate Ventilation
Any equestrian will tell you the importance of ventilation in a horse barn. Airflow is essential to maintaining air quality and preventing respiratory issues in your horses. Proper ventilation can reduce the risk of respiratory infections, mold growth, and other health concerns. We always recommend equipping your barn with Barn Windows, ceiling vents, or high ceilings to allow fresh air to circulate. High ceilings or vented walls effectively ensure air flows freely throughout the space. Learn how to improve ventilation and natural light with this guide.
7. Fire Safety Measures
Horse barns are particularly vulnerable to fire hazards due to the presence of hay, bedding, and other flammable materials. Installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and using fire-resistant materials in barn construction is essential for minimizing fire risks. Make sure to regularly inspect and maintain these safety devices and ensure that all staff members are trained on fire safety protocols.
Check out these tips for keeping stables and the horses that live in them safe from fire.
8. Tie Rings and Grooming Safety
Tie rings should be securely fastened at or above the wither height, ensuring your horse remains safely tied during grooming, cleaning, or other activities. Place them away from feed and water stations to avoid any potential hazards. Ensure the tie ring is strong enough to withstand pressure without harming your horse.
9. Safe Electrical Components
If not carefully installed, electrical components in barns can be a serious safety risk. Outdated outlets, exposed light fixtures, and unprotected wiring can lead to fires or electrocution. Work with an electrician to ensure all electrical components meet safety standards for new barns. Use GFCI outlets, install covered outlets, and upgrade your light fixtures to enclosed, shatterproof designs.
10. Safe Lighting
Lighting in your barn should be both functional and safe. Exposed bulbs and broken fixtures can cause accidents, while poor lighting can make it difficult for handlers to navigate the barn safely, especially at night. Opt for fully enclosed light fixtures that are shatterproof and designed to withstand impact. Caged fixtures are ideal for areas where horses may be able to reach. Additionally, gooseneck lamps, pendant lighting, and wall sconces can all provide bright, safe, and stylish illumination. These fixtures are designed to prevent bulb breakage and reduce fire hazards, ensuring your barn remains well-lit and secure.
By focusing on these safety features and making smart, careful design choices, you can create a secure and functional environment for your horse. Regularly inspect your barn and make necessary updates to maintain a safe space. Your horse’s safety is worth the investment, and with the right precautions, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing they are well cared for.
At American Stalls, we’re here to support you with all of your barn-building needs, whether you’re renovating your horse stalls or shopping for horse fencing for your pastures. Our barn-building experts can help you design your dream barn and choose the top-quality components to add a beautiful aesthetic while keeping your horses safe. Contact us today at (855) 957- 8255, email us at sales@americanstalls.com to schedule a sales and design consultation, or complete our inquiry form.
